Everyone knew that Russell Wilson and Sean Payton's relationship in Denver had gone south. What no one has fully explained until now is what exactly broke it.

Former Broncos All-Pro safety Justin Simmons just went on the record. Simmons joined hosts Jarvis Landry and Leonard Fournette on the 4th & South NFL podcast to explain the behind-the-scenes happenings. 

"Russ has always been really good at making plays out of nothing, right? and like trusting what he sees and being able to like make checks," Simmons said May 28. "Sean is very controlling; he wants you to run what he calls. Don't switch it up. So some of that happened too."

Wilson played with the Broncos for two seasons: 2022 and 2023. Sean Payton joined as the head coach in 2023.

In the 2023 season, Wilson threw for 3,070 yards, 26 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He had a QB record of 7-8 in 15 starts, which was far below the level expected of a quarterback on a $242.5 million contract. Denver went 8-9 and missed the playoffs. 

What makes Simmons’ account all the more credible is that the Broncos paid a direct price for the fallout. Wilson’s exit left Denver with $85 million in dead cap money, including $53 million in 2024. 

Payton and company had to cut high-priced veterans, and Simmons was one of them, despite making 70 tackles in 2023. 

"When you start butting heads with two alphas, that's the result that's going to happen," Simmons added.

Denver moved on with Bo Nix after drafting him in the 2024 NFL Draft. The QB led the Broncos to the 2025 AFC Championship Game, validating Simmons’ final assessment that it “worked out for Denver.”

Still, that AFC Championship appearance hasn’t quite won over the national media. 

Payton and Nix Yet To Crack NFL’s Top Ten Duos

Matt Verderame of Sports Illustrated ranked the Payton-Nix duo 11th among NFL head coaches and quarterback pairs going into 2026, three spots higher than in 2025, but still outside the top ten. 

"It's fair to argue that if Nix doesn't fracture his ankle during Denver's overtime win against the Bills in the divisional round, we're talking about the AFC champs. That's a credit to Payton, who hired defensive coordinator Vance Joseph to lead the league's second-ranked unit while finishing first with 68 sacks," Verderame wrote May 28.

He pointed out the ceiling as well. 

"Nix has been solid, helping Denver reach the playoffs in each of his first two seasons," Verderame added. "With the offseason trade for star receiver Jaylen Waddle, Nix has a chance to improve his numbers."

Denver rolls into 2026 with Waddle, a rebuilt backfield with J.K. Dobbins, Jonah Coleman and RJ Harvey, and Evan Engram. The supporting cast argument is gone this season. 

What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Abhay Bharti

Edited by

Shubhi Rathore